I am constructing a hope chest with the framework / lid made of dark walnut and the panel inserts (front side and back) made of birch. I have read about a million different ways to finish but would like to hear from someone who has successfully finished walnut. I want it to appear natural and expose the grains and figures, so I guess I am saying as clear as possible. But I don’t really like the contrast with the light sapwood. I tried some dark danish oil and that just looked too dark. I tried some BLO, which looked nice but the sapwood was still too light. I tossed two coats of shellac over the BLO and really did not like the appearance it gave the piece. (mind you these are test pieces)

What I would like is a nice even tone, as close to natural as possible. I have also read that walnut will fade over time and lose its dark characteristic.

I have not tested the birch yet but think I can just go with BLO, wash coat shellac and top coat with GF High Performance Satin.

Gary – You can check out some of my projects which I generally finish this way:

- Sand to 180 – 220 grit sandpaper- rag on Minwax golden oak stain (Lowes or Home Depot carries this) and allow to dry overnight.- rub down with a clean cloth to remove dust and rag on a coat of Seal Coat diluted with an equal part of alcohol.- allow sealer coat to dry several hours and rub out with 00 steel wool.- Remove dust and debris with air and/or a rag containing mineral spirits- Apply at least three coats of polyurethane diluted with an equal part of mineral spirits. I usually apply this with a lint free cloth (old T shirt works fine) and use semi gloss Minwax Polyurethane allowing at least 2 hours between coats. The more coats you put on the thicker and glossier it gets.- Rub out with 800-1000 grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool and remove debris as before.- apply a coat of Black Bison Wax with 0000 steel wool and buff with a cotton cloth.